Teenager charged with murder of 7-year-old Jai'mani Amir Rivera as loved ones march in his honor

NEAR WEST SIDE — A 16-year-old was charged with murder Friday, accused of fatally shooting 7-year-old Jai'mani Amir Rivera outside his Near West Side home this week.

The teen faces two murder charges and is accused of firing an assault rifle in the fatal shooting. He was arrested Thursday less than a mile from the scene of the shooting, police said. The teen is scheduled to appear at a detention hearing Saturday in Cook County Juvenile Court.

“Jai’mani’s life was taken from her – for what reason? There is no excuse for this violence,” the superintendent said. » Larry Snelling said during a press conference.

A stolen weapon, unrelated to this shooting, was also found during his arrest, police said.

The shooting happened around 3 p.m. Tuesday. Officers were called to the 2300 block of West Jackson Boulevard and found Jai'mani, who had been shot in the chest, police said. They helped the boy and took him to Stroger Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Jai'mani was leaving that house and walking toward the neighboring house when he was shot as he reached the sidewalk, Snelling previously said.

Video evidence and an anonymous tip helped police identify the suspected shooter, police said. Footage shows the teen approaching on foot before stopping and opening fire, hitting Jai'mani, police said. The video shows him running away, Chief of Detectives Antoinette Ursitti said.

Thirteen shotgun shell casings were recovered at the scene; the weapon used in the shooting has not been found, police said.

Authorities do not believe the boy was targeted, Snelling previously said, noting that the gunshots “came from a very good distance.” Police do not know who the teen may have shot, officials said Friday.

“We cannot give you a confirmed reason as to why this happened. There is no justification or explanation that would make things better, but this is what we are talking about, the absurdity,” Ursitti said.

“That's the frustration we feel here, that a 7-year-old child is dead and we can't give you any justification for the actions of this offender. »

Jai'mani's family raises money for her funeral; so far, a GoFundMe in his honor has raised more than $28,000.

“Parents shouldn’t have to bury their children,” Snelling said Friday.

Natashee Scott, deputy mayor for community safety, promised the city would hold the teen accountable.

“This incident is a stark reminder of the challenges we face in combatting violence among our youth…” said Ald. Walter Burnett (27th), whose district includes where Jai'mani was killed. “There’s something missing for a 16-year-old to be able to get a gun like that and be able to kill someone else as well.”

'Jai'mani, we love you'

The murder charges were announced hours after Jai'mani's family, friends and neighbors held a peace march near her home at the Oakley Square Apartments.

Several relatives, including a half-dozen young children, marched, holding posters, photos and a Spider-Man stuffed animal in memory of the boy who loved Spider-Man and video games, family members told ABC7. Jai'mani's mother boarded a car during the march, holding up a photo of her son kissing her through the sunroof.

“Jai’mani, we love you,” they chanted.

Joel Rivera, 10, marched Friday with his eyes full of tears as he mourned his cousin.

“We don’t kill children,” Joel chanted as he walked. Dozens of violence advocates, neighbors and victims of gun violence echoed him, calling for justice in solidarity with Jai'mani's family.

About 100 people joined the family earlier this week for a vigil and balloon release, the Sun-Times reported.

Jai'mani had finished his junior year and was preparing for his upcoming football season, according to his GoFundMe page. His aunt, Vanessa Rivera, told the Sun-Times that Jai'Mani recently received his soccer jersey with the number seven on it, which he wanted.

“I only want to talk about justice; we need justice,” said Saleshea Peterson, founder of the violence prevention group Hug A Child Make A Change and a UCAN contributor.

Violence intervention organizations UCAN, BUILD and Hug a Child Make A Change provide financial assistance to cover burial costs, moving costs, therapy and “whatever else they need to help them recover, even though they will never fully recover,” Peterson said.

Earlier this week, Mayor Brandon Johnson announced the expansion of a city program that provides financial resources to shooting victims and their families. The Supplemental Emergency Victims Fund pilot program provides victims of gun violence with up to $1,000 for “basic needs” such as rent, utilities and groceries, and $1,000 for relocation services.

“I again want to express my deepest condolences to the family of Jai'mani Amir Rivera and all those who loved him, and to thank the Chicago Police Department for their efforts in this case. This senseless violence in our city is unacceptable and all offenders must be held accountable,” Mayor Brandon Johnson said in a statement.

“These murders tear at the very fabric of our society, tear apart families, leave our neighborhoods shaken and our city in mourning. Nothing can ever replace the loss of a child, and I hope Jai'mani's family finds some measure of closure by apprehending and charging the alleged abuser today.

Jai'mani was at least the 127th child to be shot this year in Chicago, Snelling said earlier Friday.

Last month, 5-year-old Reign Ware was fatally shot while sitting in a parked car three blocks from where Jai'mani was killed.

“The senseless gun violence that is costing these babies their lives must stop,” Peterson said.

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